Napkin holder



, My E, 1ML J. B. HART NAPKIN HOLDER Filed Aug. 2. 1939 Patented July 1, 1941 U N ITE D STAT S PATE.

F E' I Q E I Claim.

This invention relates to a tab or clip for attaching napkins and similar articles to and suspending them from the garments of the userV by the user. Also, the tab should be so arranged that the napkin or other article may be readily attached to and removed from the tab and at the same time remain securely fixed when'attached without damage to the article.

The invention therefore contemplates the provision of a tab which will definitely overcome the foregoing objections, and which at the same time has a pleasing appearance and is unusually simple and economical in construction or manufacture.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention will become apparent in View of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of a tab embodying features of the present invention adapted for use with a paper napkin;

Figs. 2 and 3 are views similar to Fig. 1 but showing a portion of the napkin to which the tab is attached and also illustrating how the tab may be conveniently applied to portions of the garment of the user;

Fig. 4 is a view in elevation of a tab for use with a cloth or linen napkin;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but illustrating a napkin connected to the tab and the latter attached to the garment of the user;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 6 6, Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 -is a View in side elevation of a slightly modified type of tabl.

Referring to the drawing `in detail, the form of tab shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 is adapted for permanent attachment to the conventional paper napkin, or napkins of the disposable type. The tab in this instance is preferably generally triangular in shape, or shaped to conform to the corner portion of a napkin. The tab may be made of relatively thin cardboard or other material capable of being cut coincident with the cuiting of the type of napkin to which it is applied and would thus have the same edge coniiguration as that of the napkin. A slot or channel 5 is formed in the tab and this slot is preferably curved and terminates in an enlargement or hole 6 defining a hook or spur 6'. The slotv or channel is of the open type, or has the entrance therein opening outwardly so that the tab may be applied simply by inserting the same over the article from which it is to be suspended. For example, when used as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the tab may simply be inserted over the edge of a portion of the garment, as indicated at l, or may be engagedover the attaching threads of a button, as indicated yat 'l'. To further facilitate insertion or hanging of the tab the slot or channel is flared at its entrance end.

In actual manufacture, the one side of the clip may be coated with an adhesive and then spotted on the rolls of thetissue from which the napkins are made, or so located on the tissue as to register with the corner of the napkin to which it is to be applied.

The convenient manner in which the clip may be used will be apparent, it only being necessary to insert the opening or channel 5 over a button or projecting portion of the garment until the portion 6 of the slot or channel registers with the threads of the button or edge of the garment, whereupon the spur 6' hooks on said edge or lthreads ensuring against displacement.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 show a clip adapted for use with a cloth or linen napkin, or napkins of the permanent or launderable type, although it is obviously also usable with napkins of the disposable type. The clip in this instance has a slot or channel 5a terminating in an enlargement 6a defining a spur 6b similar to the slot or channel of the clip of Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The napkin is attached by means of a particular arrangement of cuts or incisions. The body 8 of the clip is formed with what may be termed a reentrant cut vertically or longitudinally of the clip as indicated at 9 with the one end of the cut terminating in a cut-out portion or hole I0; and another cut, termed an entrant cut ll is made at right angles to the cut 9 with the opposite ends of the cut terminating in cut-out portions or holes I2 and I3. The cut 9 is thus substantially perpendicular to the cut Il and slightly spaced therefrom.

In attaching the napkin, a corner of the latter may be inserted through the entrant cut Il simply by exing the tab in the region of the cut to spread the walls of the latter, and then brought back and inserted through the `cut 9, note Figs. 5 and 6, the edges of the cut 9 being spread in a similar manner. The cut-out portions or holes I0, I2 and I3 facilitate exing of the tab in the region of the lcuts and ensure against tearing of the tab at the ends of the cuts. By using cuts or incisions for attaching a napkin instead of slots, a more secure attaching or retaining grip is exerted by the tab and such grip is secure even though the tab is formed of relatively thin material.

Fig. 7 shows a modied type of tab or clip which in addition to serving as a napkin holder may be used as an admission ticket or other token at a social function, such for example as a fraternity dance or the like. In this instance the body of the device is indicated at I5 and is provided with an attaching slot or channel of slightly modiiied construction with respect to that illustrated in the preceding iigures. The channel is indicated at I6 andterrninates in `an enlargement I'I defining a spur II. Instead of being curved as in the preceding gure, the channel is cut substantially straight and extends at an incline.

In all forms of the tab or clip, the slot is of the open ty-pe terminating in a spur or hook Iportion which'ten-ds towards `ease in attachment and removal and security against accidental release when attached, while the arrangement of the cuts for connecting a napkin simplies such operation, the tab portions on opposite sides of the cuts gripping the napkin and holding the same securely in place. The holder maybe readily arranged in a standing position at the table and serve as a place card, and accordingly may be given different conguration, color schemes and the like as occasion may demand. The tab or grip may be made of cardboard, stili paper, leather or Cellophane and maintained in sanitary condition at all time.

It will be understood that Acertain minor changes in construction and design of the improved tab or grip may be adopted without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

In an article of sheet material adapted to be suspended from a garment, a corner portion yformed of relatively rigid thin sheet material, said corner portion comprising a hook-shape slot extending through a margin thereof and providing an entrance to said slot in said margin, the sides of said slots being formed to provide said slot with an outer compression guideway adapted to engage a compressible portion of an article of apparel, said slot having an enlarged expansion aperture communicating with said guideway at its inner end, said guideway having `an inwardly diminishing taper extending towards said aperture, said guidewaybeing less in width at its inner end than the diameter of said aperture, said aperture being less in width than the normal diameter of an apparel button, said laperture being positioned approximately on the median line of said corner portion whereby said 'article may be suspended from an apparel button in an approximately symmetrical position.

JASON B. HART. 

